Check (in), please! Foursquare & Facebook Places
Location-based services, like Foursquare and Facebook Places, allow users to share and connect with others based on their current locations. “Checking-in” usually occurs via smartphones and venues typically include businesses like restaurants, bars, stores, etc. Once you’ve checked-in, your location is then broadcasted to your online friends. Now the question is, what platform do I use?
There are several location-based social media outlets, but Foursquare and Facebook Places have the highest check-in numbers.
Foursquare makes checking-in both rewarding and entertaining. Points are rewarded and different badges are earned for checking into different venues. Users can then choose to have their check-ins posted on their Facebook or Twitter accounts. With over 8 million users worldwide and averaging over 2.5 million check-ins per day, Foursquare is definitely doing something right!
Facebook Places allows you to check in using your Facebook account. Your update will then appear on your page, the venues page and your friends’ News Feed & Wall. Unlike Foursquare, Facebook Places allows users the ability to tag the friends you’re with so they can be part of your update. Facebook Places also encourages businesses to create rewarding “deals” as an added incentive to check in.
